More headlines: Bill Bradley on Jobs

Labor reform: Give teeth to pro-union laws

[I support] changing labor laws so that more people can succeed in their organizing efforts

We need to put teeth in the law so that if somebody is fired for organizing, then that employer has to pay three times back wages, plus punitive damages

You need a ban on striker replacement in this country

Companies that violate the labor laws [should be] ineligible for government contracts in this country.

Source: Speech at the Iowa AFL-CIO
Aug 18, 1999

Increase minimum wage; universal health coverage

I am running so that more and more people can get to higher economic ground in this country. I believe we need more economic growth, more fairly shared. Thatís why we have to increase the minimum wage. Thatís why we need to make sure every American is
covered by a health insurance policy in this country.

Source: Speech at the Iowa AFL-CIO
Aug 18, 1999

Unionize new industries; focus on quality of life

From 1960 to 1992, union membership dropped from 35% to 16% of all workers in America, even though individual benefits went up. The labor movement must find a way to revive, if it to remain a positive, or even a relevant, force in American life.
Defending the old ways offers little hope. Labor needs to identify the new industries & explore ways to organize them not only around wages & pensions but around quality-of-life issues-child care, privacy, new health threats in a computerized workplace.